Stetsons will walk the walk to fight cancer

On Sunday, Sept. 8, Bill and Jessica Stetson of Holbrook will take part in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.

Jeanne M. Rideout

“Every time a walker joins the cause, it’s a win,” Bill Stetson said.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, Bill and Jessica Stetson of Holbrook will join an anticipated 8,500 walkers in the 25th anniversary Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research for all types of cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

This is Bill Stetson’s fourth year walking for the Jimmy Fund.

“I’ve been walking since 2010. I started walking the year after I had my cancer diagnosis,” he said.

Bill received his diagnosis in 2009 at the age of 20 and went through a summer of chemotherapy and surgery at Dana-Farber.

“When you’re in your 20s, you think you’re immortal. It was a life-changing moment when I received my diagnosis,” he said. “I trust Dana-Farber. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. They have some of the nicest RNs on the infusion floor.”

Bill walks for the Jimmy Fund to help others.

“I wanted to support cancer research. I’m not a large fundraiser, but every little bit helps. That’s why I continue to do this and hope to continue to do this,” he said.

Most donations come from a walker’s social network of friends and family.

This is Jessica Stetson’s second year as a member of Team Stetson.

“Jessica started walking because of my relentless recruitment,” Bill said. “She joined my team to support me through my diagnosis.”

Friendships can deepen along the historic walk through Boston. Jessica first walked with Bill to support him as his friend, and now she walks by his side as his wife. Newlyweds Bill and Jessica were married last September.

Over the past three years, Team Stetson has grown. The team started with Bill and his sister Mary Stetson, who traveled from Manchester, N.H., for the Jimmy Fund Walk. Then friends Brenna and Bryan Rautenberg joined the team.

“We’re starting to grow as a team,” Bill said.

The Jimmy Fund Walk along the Boston Marathon trail has four routes. Walkers can chose the entire 26.2-mile Hopkinton-to-Boston route, the 13.1-mile Babson-to-Boston route, the five-mile Boston College route or the three-mile route from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to the Copley Square Finish, where they can celebrate and enjoy free food, beverages, a speaking program and entertainment.

In 2010, Bill walked the full 26.2 miles. Although he now walks the 13.1-mile route to accommodate recruiting for his team, he maintains that the average person can accomplish the 26-mile walk.

“A normal person can do the 26-mile walk. At the end of the day, you have never felt so tired in your life, but you feel a great sense of accomplishment,” he said.